U.S. Virgin Islands law & politics

Category Archives: International

By Tom Bolt on May 8, 2017 Posted in International,Labor & EmploymentAn executive order signed by President Donald Trump in April will make it more difficult for companies to recruit low-wage international workers that the President says unfairly harm U.S. citizens looking for work. The order, which Trump announced during a visit to Wisconsin, also directs federal agencies to carefully analyze existing rules and trade agreements… Continue Reading

By Tom Bolt on July 8, 2016 Posted in Immigration,InternationalThe United States and its territories are home to hundreds of thousands of immigrant doctors and other healthcare professionals. In fact, according to the Migration Policy Institute, about 26% of all physicians practicing within the United States immigrated to the country. These immigrants are critically important to the U.S. healthcare system, and the Department of… Continue Reading

By Tom Bolt on February 16, 2016 Posted in Corporate & Financial Services,InternationalMaking the jump to international markets can be a tough one for small businesses, but a relatively new U.S. Small Business Administration program is offering some excellent opportunities. The agency’s State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program is a pilot program that provides matching federal funds to U.S. states and territories, with the goal of… Continue Reading

By Tom Bolt on January 26, 2016 Posted in Corporate & Financial Services,International,Tax & Estate PlanningWith so much business either originating online or migrating there from brick-and-mortar establishments, the possibility of conducting transactions via the Internet is opening up a whole new world for entrepreneurs and business owners on a global scale. Whether you’re selling products or services, having the ability to sell your goods online makes it possible to… Continue Reading

By Tom Bolt on December 3, 2015 Posted in Corporate & Financial Services,InternationalDo you have a successful business such as a restaurant, boutique hotel, or watersports company that you have built into a replicable format? If you want to leverage your existing supply relationships, marketing methods, loyal management team, and cost structures to jumpstart new locations, then franchising might be right for you. What does it take… Continue Reading

By Tom Bolt on November 10, 2015 Posted in Corporate & Financial Services,InternationalThe legal agreement that enabled the exchange of European citizens’ personal data between European and U.S. firms is no more. In an October 6 ruling, the European Court of Justice declared the Safe Harbor agreement invalid, charging that data protection processes in place at companies like Facebook is insufficient and fails to meet the standards… Continue Reading

By Tom Bolt on November 2, 2015 Posted in Corporate & Financial Services,InternationalThe U.S. Virgin Islands is well-known as a breathtaking vacation destination and a corporate tax haven. It is less well-known, but equally attractive as a destination for film and television production. As far as tropical shooting locations, the USVI can hardly be beat. In a relatively small area, the USVI offers both tropical desert and… Continue Reading

By Laura C. Nagi on June 9, 2013 Posted in InternationalThe U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee this past month approved on a 13-to-5 vote broad legislation that would completely redefine the country’s policies on immigration. This appears to be the most significant immigration policy revision in decades to be sent to the full Senate Debate is anticipated to start in this month.… Continue Reading

By Laura C. Nagi on May 20, 2013 Posted in InternationalThe immigration laws of the United States require companies to employ only people who are able to work in the United States legally. This can be as U.S. citizens or foreign citizens who have the appropriate and necessary authorization. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the government agency that is tasked with overseeing… Continue Reading

By Laura C. Nagi on April 2, 2013 Posted in InternationalApril 1st was the first day employers in the United States are permitted to submit H-1B visa applications to the federal government for fiscal year 2014. These visas cover October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014.… Continue Reading

By Laura C. Nagi on March 11, 2013 Posted in InternationalApril 1st is the earliest that employers are permitted to file an H1B petition for the following fiscal year, which starts October 1st. An employer cannot file an H1B petition earlier than six months before the date of the actual start of the individual’s sponsored services.… Continue Reading

By Laura C. Nagi on March 8, 2013 Posted in InternationalDid you know that April 1st is the earliest that employers are permitted to file an H1B petition for the following fiscal year, which starts October 1st. An employer cannot file an H1B petition earlier than six months before the date of the actual start of the individual’s (beneficiary) services. U.S. mainland, as well as… Continue Reading

By Ashley Dworsky on September 19, 2011 Posted in International,Labor & EmploymentThe Obama administration has intensified a crackdown on employers of illegal immigrants, notifying over 1,000 companies recently that the government plans to inspect their hiring records. Employers of all sizes were notified they must hand over I-9 employment-eligibility forms, which contain Social Security numbers, dates of birth and statements by employees of their citizenship status.… Continue Reading

By Ashley Dworsky on September 19, 2011 Posted in InternationalI have found that there is a great deal of bad information floating around the web and people’s work places about H-1 visas. Hopefully this will help. What are the requirements for H-1B? … Continue Reading

By Ashley Dworsky on September 15, 2011 Posted in InternationalThe L-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa available to qualifying intra-company transferees (employees) coming to the U.S. to continue to work for the same, related or affiliated company (employer). Three types of employees may be sponsored for L-1 visas, Managers, Executives and those possessing Specialized Knowledge.… Continue Reading

By Nycole A. Thompson on June 28, 2011 Posted in InternationalFederal authorities in New Jersey recently announced the disruption of an international smuggling ring that prosecutors said brought hundreds of illegal immigrants to the United States, including many young women who worked as dancers at strip clubs to repay their passage. U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said four people from New Jersey, one from Massachusetts, and one… Continue Reading

By Tom Bolt on September 30, 2009 Posted in InternationalThe Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today that it has reached an agreement that establishes a long-lasting framework for the technical coordination of the Internet’s domain name and addressing system (DNS). ICANN and NTIA executed a new Affirmation of Commitments that completes the… Continue Reading

By Tom Bolt on October 20, 2006 Posted in InternationalAmerican Counsel Association President Tom Bolt welcomed the delegates to the European Circuit Annual Conference in Rome at opening reception at the Hotel de la Ville. Bolt with Gerard McDermott, Q.C., President of the European Circuit of England and Wales, and Andrew Colvin of Studio Coggiatti, the co-sponsor of the opening reception. In opening remarks,… Continue Reading

By Tom Bolt on October 15, 2006 Posted in InternationalAs I entered Paris Saturday morning, I could hear the bells from Notré Dame. I had returned to the "City of Lights" – I remembered the words issued by U.S. Army Colonel C. E. Stanton, signaling the arrival of leading elements of the United States forces, newly engaged in the deadly struggle of the Allies… Continue Reading

By Tom Bolt on October 13, 2006 Posted in InternationalTom Bolt, Managing Attorney of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands law firm of Tom Bolt & Associates, P.C. addressed the Association of European Attorneys (AEA) at their Annual Meeting in Paris on Friday. Citing the need to adhere to rule of law, Bolt said that "it is incumbent upon attorneys throughout the world to speak out… Continue Reading

By Tom Bolt on October 12, 2006 Posted in InternationalTom Bolt, Managing Attorney of the St. Thomas law firm of Tom Bolt & Associates, P.C. and President of the American Counsel Association met Thurday evening in Paris with representatives of the Association of European Attorneys (AEA) at the opening dinner of the AEA’s Annual Meeting. "It was unbelievable the diversity in the room," Bolt… Continue Reading

By Tom Bolt on September 14, 2006 Posted in InternationalAs an unincorporated territory of the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands does not conduct its own foreign affairs. The United States Congress is the only body that has the authority to engage in international agreements and treaties on behalf of the Territory. Not many U.S. treaties are applicable to the United States Virgin Islands and… Continue Reading